In Depth

Flat expanses of sand run seamlessly into the white foam of aquamarine surf on the west and south shores of Barbados, broken only by bizarre coral formations until the coast rises up into cliffs and crags in the north and east. Bridgetown is the urban center of Barbados, located along the island's southwest coast.

Several rum distilleries provide the opportunity to wet your whistle while having a cultural experience. Enjoy true local entertainment lounging a day away at a cricket match at Kensington Oval, just outside of Bridgetown, once you've had your fill of local museums and historic architecture, or get some fresh air and exercise on one of the hikes through the interior. If you prefer to stick with organized events, head to the horse races and spend your winnings on guided horseback ride along the southeast coast. While local restaurants run the gamut from budget to gourmet, purists can try to snag a kingfish for dinner off the deck of a charter fishing boat.

For ideal swimming swell, the west coast is the most protected. Snorkel slowly and languidly by schools of fish and bright sea foliage before returning to the reality of warm sunshine and a soft beach. Breezes from the Atlantic make the south coast popular with windsurfers and water sports enthusiasts. If a jet ski isn't your thing, scramble around the tidal pools for sea-life left behind by the receding tide. Rougher swell on the east shore rolls in from the Atlantic, washing jetsam, flotsam and surfers towards shore. Sheltered bays can be protected enough to soak in, however this reward comes for the looking. Further up, the north coast is your destination for dramatic views and a shower of salt-spray. Here, hidden inlets break the rocky cliffs and caves that afford privacy though the water may still boil too much for your swimming tastes.

Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean, about 100 miles east of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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